Fire safety inspections for armories, evidence rooms sought

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police commanders nationwide Thursday to enforce strict fire safety protocols across all stations, armories, ammunition storage facilities, and evidence rooms following a major blaze at a gun manufacturing compound in Marikina City.

The directive aligns with instructions from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., issued through Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to enhance public safety measures and protect state infrastructure.

“I expect that all regional, district, and local police commanders are conducting comprehensive safety and fire vulnerability audits across all PNP armories, storage facilities, and evidence rooms,” Nartatez said.

“Strict enforcement of standard operating procedures on ammunition handling, proper ventilation, and round-the-clock hazard monitoring is non-negotiable to protect our personnel, assets, and surrounding communities,” he added.

The heightened safety alert follows a fire last 13 October at the Armscor Global Defense Inc. compound in Barangay Fortune, Marikina City. The Bureau of Fire Protection estimated structural and material damages at P40 million.

The fire broke out at 8:49 p.m. Tuesday and reached the second alarm by 9 p.m. Firefighters brought the blaze under control at 10:33 p.m. before declaring it fully extinguished at 12:41 a.m. Wednesday.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions during firefighting operations, and social media users posted images of spent bullet casings on nearby streets.

No casualties or injuries were reported, and company officials confirmed all employees were safely evacuated.